World Bank hosts first annual African Youth Forum

Africa’s economic growth is climbing at a much quicker pace than many other regions in the world, averaging 4.5 percent annually since 1995. Endowed with rich natural resources and even more human capital, Africa is one of the most economically promising continents globally.

Another measure of growth is reflected in the continent’s demographic dividend, which accounts for 200 million people aged between 15 and 24. Africa has the youngest population in the world, with about 2 to 3 million of these young people entering the labor force every year.

According to the World Bank report on Youth and Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa, raising earning potential among Africa’s growing youth population is a major priority for the region that will require strong action on multiple fronts.

Building around this report, the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund Young African Society or YAS, will host a one-day African Youth Forum on July 31st, 2014 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EDT. The event is centered on the four thematic areas (Education, Health, Good Governance and Entrepreneurship) that emerged as among the top 5 priorities for young people in the My World 2015 Survey. The forum will feature several panels focused on Youth as an instrumental driving force of the Africa development agenda.

The Forum will conclude with the discussion of actionable steps to end Africa’s rising numbers of youth unemployment and underemployment. These actionable steps, recommended by the participating youth, will be delivered to African heads of state during the High Level Presidential Dialogue at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.

Registration for the public is still open here. The event will also be streamed online for those who are not able to attend in person.

To join the discussion, please follow @WorldBankAfrica on Twitter and use the hashtag #AfricaYF2014.

IF OTHERS CAN, WE TOO CAN - I HAVE SOLUTIONS
I am glad that this event is coming at a time such as this; a time when everyone is asking whether there is still hope for Africa.

I am also glad that I have something positive and lucrative to offer, something that will go a long way in eradicating unemployment in Africa, improve education and strengthen security.

Although I have not met any sponsor yet, I believe that someday, God will make a way for my initiatives which has been scored high by many; to come to limelight.

My humble suggestions as I wish the conference and all participants the very best are as follows:

1. Participants should discuss on methods of supporting creative ideas developed by Africans.

2. Every country should establish CENTRE FOR IDEAS AND CREATIVITY where anyone with creative ideas can walk in to discuss how it can be sponsored.

Meanwhile, I have several ideas that I'm sure will be useful for the growth and development of Africa. Some are:
ONE NAIRA AFRICA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - This is targeted towards eradication of unemployment in less than three years and improved education system.

PRIVATE SECURITY NETWORK - This will strengthen the security in Africa.

PRIVATE EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS WATCH - This will help to maintain fare treatment of private employees and consumers in Africa.

Whenever I'm called upon to provide detailed plans, I will not hesitate.

I apriciate the second point about establishment of CENTER OF IDEAS AND CREATIVITY i saw most of the young Africa the have talents through their talents they can be employed and
Another thing is there is no link between education and our enviroments education curriculim does not meet the needs of society and most of the adults were forced by their palents to study it based on the study course example u want to study graphics but palents they dont know about graphics.
Little support from our government the goverment should support our talents and to make changes in our curriculam example computer program,art program because all children we born with Art but it diffucult to remain artist because there was no art program in school

i agree with you, "Every country should establish CENTRE FOR IDEAS AND CREATIVITY where anyone with creative ideas can walk in to discuss how it can be sponsored." this can be really useful as there will be many creative ideas that can help youth and the continent in general. i happen to believe that many people have practical ideas, they just don't have the opportunity to voice them and implement them.

As African youth and entrepreneur, let me show a little obstacles which are the mostly hindered African youth specially in my country .
lack of good education about entrepreneurship.
lack of vision .
lack of commitment .
lack of good policies from the government on how young entrepreneurs can secure loan to start their business .
lack of management skills .

So that as a young entrepreneur and chairman of MYDN, from the above obstacles the African and Tanzanian youth they need the following important things which can enable them to move up from unemployment issue .
Entrepreneurship education should be provided to the youth and certain groups.
Good government support should be provided .
The world bank should provide various Entrepreneurship seminars at various countries all of the Africa .

one of the important point that can benefit world's economy is financial education for the youth. this will help to build a generation of people who will be able to manage their finances, who would not accumulate debt uncontrollably and be able to become better entrepreneurs.

one of the important point that can benefit world's economy is financial education for the youth. this will help to build a generation of people who will be able to manage their finances, who would not accumulate debt uncontrollably and be able to become better entrepreneurs.

This is a very interesting forum for us Africans youth. We have all what it can takes to heal our continent. And the core topic of discussions which includes Education, Health, Good Governance and Entrepreneurship are the strongest weapons to develop Africa. I hope that I am going to learn much more from this forum and the upcoming events. Thanks!

We need to give the youth a chance to be included in the development of Africa. Everybody talks about how important it is to involve the youth, but few do anything about it.
In our development programs in Malawi we include the youth in the general development and we have a spesific component that focus on young women. By having an internship program for young women (last for one year) we want to contribute to more women in leadership positions. We are also establishing Young Women Can Do It! clubs around the country to build self confidence, leadership skills etc for young women and men. These youth can then be included in the local decision structutres like District counsil, Area & Village Development commitees. Deliberate efforts work, but we need to move from talk to action!

all the initiatives mentioned in your text are good.
The real question is whether the African youth desires to appropriate the development of Africa.
the answer is no. As proof,the thousands of illegal immigrants willing to die to go to europe instead of thinking about solutions within africa and for african.
A youth unable to provide values ​​and has no faith in itself.

for every youth who makes the risky and hardous trip across the sahara to Europe, there are a thousand others who are breaking their back trying to erk out a living on the continent. I have visited more than 12 countries in africa, and i can tell you from first hand experience that with the boundless energy and creativity of africa's youth, if matched with the relevant skills and re-tooling, Africa will rise. The escape across the Sahara is necessitated by many things, hunger, search for better opportunities and all. When young people know that opportunities abound in their countries and the state and international partners are willing to suport them to harness this opportunities, then they woill stay. Please visit the IT hubs in Johanesbourg, Lagos, Dakar, Kigali or Addis Ababa and be amazed by what young people are doing with IT. I am sure you might have heard about Ushaidi from kenya or the rise of online super-stores such as jumia and konga in Nigeria. This is our continent, we will rise up to develop it but we need more young people to join in that development and they are ready, if you can provide them the needed support!